20 Facts About Yuriko Backes

Yuriko Backes served as Minister for Finances from 2022 to 2023.

Yuriko Nadia Backes was born on 22 December 1970 in Kobe, Japan.

Yuriko Backes's parents were Luxembourgish expatriates who lived in Japan.

Yuriko Backes continued her studies in London, graduating from the London School of Economics with a bachelor's degree in international relations in 1992 and from the School of Oriental and African Studies with a master's degree in Japanese studies in 1993.

Yuriko Backes began her diplomatic career within the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994, when she passed her diplomatic examinations and was appointed a member of the permanent representation of Luxembourg to the United Nations, serving for three years.

From 2001 until 2006, Yuriko Backes was a member of the permanent representation of Luxembourg to the European Union, and from 2006 until 2008, she was the deputy head of mission of the Embassy of Luxembourg in Japan.

From 2008 to 2010, Yuriko Backes was deputy head of the Directorate for International Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On 1 June 2020, Yuriko Backes was appointed Luxembourg's first female Hofmarschall, the highest administrative position in the household of Grand Duke Henri.

On 3 December 2021, the ruling coalition government announced that Yuriko Backes would become the new Minister for Finances, succeeding Pierre Gramegna and becoming the first woman to hold the office.

Yuriko Backes is affiliated with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party.

Yuriko Backes was sworn in by Grand Duke Henri on 5 January 2022.

Yuriko Backes is a proponent of closer relations between Luxembourg and Asia.

In 2023, Yuriko Backes declared that Luxembourg was in the midst of an economic crisis primarily caused by inflation.

In late 2022, Yuriko Backes highlighted the importance of the fight against money laundering in Luxembourg, stating that failing an audit from the Financial Action Task Force would "permanently compromise Luxembourg's reputation as a financial centre".

Yuriko Backes is a supporter of the digital transformation and the Digital Services Act.

On 13 July 2023, Yuriko Backes was presented as part of the leading candidates double for her voting constituency, together with national leading candidate Xavier Bettel for the general election.

On 17 November 2023, Yuriko Backes was sworn in with the rest of the Frieden-Bettel-government.

Yuriko Backes has three new portfolios: Mobility and Public Works; Defense; and Gender Equality and Diversity.

Yuriko Backes is the only minister in the Frieden-Bettel government to manage three portfolios.

Yuriko Backes is fluent in Luxembourgish, German, French, and English, and is conversational in Japanese.